[ 4: Duke Francis wrote a letter to be delivered to Kestholm by a messenger. He first missed His Majesty for arranging noble support and indicated that more assistance was still needed. He believed that the invasion by the Velmoria Empire was not simple, not merely for territory, but had a deeper purpose.]
[ 5: In the imperial capital Kestholm, another Elf Knight gathering took place. The ladies and young miss at the gathering inevitably mentioned the name Carlotta White, expressing some regret that Carlotta had gone to the Duchy of Francis. Some were confused by the Elven Knight path, which remained unresolved. When asked why Carlotta went to the front lines, Mrs. Clorinde Austin kindly explained that Carlotta and Amelia were in a relationship, and since Amelia was going to the front, Carlotta naturally followed life and death together. This answer made many ladies and young misses even more emotional.]
There were five pieces of intelligence today.
After reading the intelligence, Carlotta was speechless. How did Mrs. Austin started spreading rumors about her and Amelia?
She was somewhat amused and had more or less gotten used to such things.
The five pieces of intelligence didn’t provide much information and weren’t particularly helpful to her personally. The only thing worth noting was Duke Francis’s belief that this war was not simple, possibly containing significant implications... but this really had little to do with Carlotta, as her level didn’t reach such heights.
After scanning the intelligence, as expected, a wave of drowsiness washed over her.
"Have I really gotten used to reading intelligence before sleeping? Luckily, there’s no urgent intelligence, otherwise how could I sleep?"
Carlotta asserted, closed the window, took out a cold air card to release cool air, then went to bed and snuggled under the covers, falling asleep comfortably.
Under Amelia’s leadership, the Carnation Knights and the Swan Knights headed northeast towards Wales Castle.
Although Wales Castle was still safe due to its terrain, its location was already within the Francis frontline, so it was still a bit far from Silverleaf Caste.
It will take about five days to reach Wales Castle.
In the blink of an eye, four and a half days had passed.
The knights traveled at a leisurely pace, with the stable card and the breeze card in the carriage working together to keep Carlotta feeling quite cool, as if she were on a picnic.
Amelia lifted the carriage curtain and looked into the distance; the outline of Wales Castle was still invisible.
"It seems we won’t reach Wales Castle today, but we should definitely get there tomorrow."
"Then let’s find a place to rest early today. I think that spot over there looks pretty good."
Camella pointed into the distance.
There was a river there, and the surrounding area was quite spacious, very suitable for setting up camp.
If they continue forward, they might not find a suitable camping spot.
Although the clock card showed it was only 4 PM, Amelia didn’t mind resting a bit more and immediately ordered everyone to set up camp.
The camp was quickly set up. Carlotta chose a spot some distance from the camp and practiced her Elven Knight path with the Cross Rose.
Elven Butterfly Dance, Elven Phantom Sound, Elven Light, Elven Dance, Elven Starfall!
She performed the Twelve Echoes of Elven Steel one by one.
"Miss White, you’ve already reached the fifth-tier apprentice?"
Amelia walked over, her eyes slightly surprised.
"I broke through on the way."
"Your progress is truly astonishing."
In fact, her own progress was also fast, but she knew the conditions she had. To her, Carlotta’s progress was truly beyond remarkable.
Amelia seemed to remember something, "I remember you used Mana Surge Potion when you practiced before. Why haven’t I seen you use it these past two days?"
"You could have told me if you ran out."
Without hesitation, Amelia took out two bottles of Mana Surge Potion from her Ten-Heart Pearl and handed them over.
For a talented transcendent like Carlotta, she naturally didn’t mind investing, and a few cultivating resources were nothing to be stingy about.
Carlotta didn’t take them immediately, hesitating slightly.
"What’s wrong? You weren’t shy about coming to the Duchy of Francis with me, why are you being polite now?"
Amelia said with a laugh.
Seeing this, Carlotta didn’t hesitate and took the Mana Surge Potion, "Thank you, Miss Fenwick."
Amelia smiled slightly, "We’re far from Caerwyn Academy now, so we don’t need to use the ’Miss’ title when addressing each other. What do you think?"
Carlotta understood and smiled, "Then thank you, Amelia."
She had originally intended to say that Carlotta could just call her Fenwick, but she didn’t expect Carlotta to skip that step and choose a more intimate form of address.
Looking into Carlotta’s bright, beautiful eyes, Amelia laughed, "That’s quite nice. Spar with me for a while, Carlotta."
Carlotta didn’t refuse.
In fact, Carlotta wasn’t oblivious and understood Amelia’s meaning. She had almost called her Fenwick. But in that moment, she felt a sudden impulse to bring their relationship closer.
She knew Amelia well and understood that in their current relationship, calling her by her first name wouldn’t be a problem. They weren’t distant.
So the title Fenwick became Amelia.
Her judgment proved correct.
As for why she wanted to bring her relationship with Amelia closer... It was a subconscious action. She simply felt it was good to be closer to Amelia.
Amelia took out a sword from her Ten-Heart Pearl and quickly clashed with Carlotta, using the Elven Knight path.
But while using the Elven Knight path, memory magic was also activated, creating more swords around her, giving the impression of many people attacking Carlotta.
’Amelia’s progress is so fast. I thought I was catching up, but it still feels like there’s a gap.’
Those who are improving won’t just be themselves.
The two sparred for a while, each gaining some insights from the exchange. If nothing unexpected happened, they could continue until dark.
At this moment, Camella came over.
Seeing the two sparring, Camella quickly said, "A group of people has arrived at our camp, it seems they’re from Wales Castle."
Have the people from Wales Castle arrived?
Carlotta and Amelia immediately stopped their sparring and walked back together.
On the way, Amelia asked about the situation and found out that these people from Wales Castle were not here for her.
"Earlier, a maid came running to our camp. She had severe physical issues, covered in wounds, unable to speak or write, only gesturing. We couldn’t understand what she was trying to convey. Soon after, the people from Wales Castle arrived, claiming the maid was a criminal and wanted to arrest her."
Camella briefly explained the situation.
Carlotta and Amelia hadn’t gone far, and by the time Camella finished speaking, they had returned to the camp.
At the camp’s entrance, the knights were divided into two groups. One group surrounded a dirty, trembling maid, while the other was conversing with a group of neatly dressed soldiers.
The soldier captain, with a mustache, said discontentedly, "Are you harboring a criminal and opposing us, Wales Castle? Even if you are the empire’s reinforcements, don’t think you can step over us."
Amelia immediately walked over and said, "We never intended to step over the people of Wales Castle. There must be a misunderstanding."
The captain soldier glanced at Amelia and frowned, "And who are you?"
"I am Amelia Fenwicks, the leader of this knight order."
Amelia replied calmly.
The captain understood but still expressed his dissatisfaction, "Miss Fenwicks, your subordinates are hindering my arrest of a criminal. That maid poisoned and killed many people. Don’t be fooled by her pitiful appearance; it’s all a disguise, a lie. Those who died by her hand were caught off guard."
The maid, whom the captain pointed at, was dirty, crouched on the ground, shaking her head instinctively, trying to say something, but she had no ability to speak.
Amelia calmly said, "My subordinates are not hindering you. They were just waiting for my arrival to decide what to do. I hope you can understand."
"Now that you’re here, Miss Fenwicks, can you hand over the crime to us?"
The soldier captain stroked his mustache and said.
Amelia looked back at the maid.
The maid also raised her head, shaking it continuously, tears streaming down her face, wanting to express something but unable to.
The captain replied, "Don’t be deceived by her. She is very good at fabricating lies. Excessive sympathy will only harm you."
Amelia pondered. She had just arrived and didn’t know the specifics, making it hard to make an accurate judgment.
Logically, she should side with the Wales Castle soldiers, but the maid’s pitiful state made her uncertain.
At this moment, Carlotta came to Amelia’s side and whispered, "If you’re unsure, take the maid to Wales Castle tomorrow and let the baron handle it."
Amelia glanced at Carlotta and nodded.
After making her decision, the captain was clearly dissatisfied, thinking it was unnecessary.
In response, Amelia presented her official document.
"I came to Wales Castle to support this place. In terms of position, only Baron Hunt Wales is above me. Everyone else must obey my commands. Including you, soldiers."
The captain was stunned.
After Duke Francis arranged for the nobles, he drafted official documents for each, which could be presented to the city’s administrator upon arrival to confirm identity. Thus, the news hadn’t arrived earlier.
The captain now realized that this group was not just passing reinforcements but had Wales Castle as their destination.
"In that case, we are willing to obey orders."
The captain lowered his head.
Amelia nodded, "Will you return to report or stay and go to Wales Castle with us tomorrow?"
The captain immediately said, "Most of us will stay. I will send someone to Wales Castle to explain the situation. I believe the baron will arrange a banquet to welcome your arrival, Miss Fenwicks."
This was a normal arrangement. Amelia had a tent prepared for the soldiers from Wales Castle.
As for the maid, she had her taken to another tent and temporarily detained.
Carlotta looked at the maid. She suggested Amelia return the maid to Wales Castle tomorrow, intending to gather information tonight to understand the specifics.
To ensure no information was missed, Carlotta needed to interact with the maid a little more.
She was willing to do this, not because she thought the maid was innocent, but simply to go with the flow.
They had just arrived in Wales Castle and still didn’t know much about the city. Perhaps through the maid, more information about Wales Castle could surface.
Thinking this, Carlotta entered the tent where the maid was held.
Since Carlotta spent all day with Amelia and there were rumors of their relationship, she could enter any part of the Carnation Knight Order without being stopped.
As Carlotta entered, the maid, crouched in the corner, looked up with a hint of fear.
She was very dirty, seemed unwashed for a long time, emitting a foul odor up close.
Carlotta didn’t get too close and asked, "You seemed reluctant to go to Wales Castle. Are you afraid of death?"
The maid stared blankly at Carlotta, giving no response.
Carlotta continued, "You seem to have something to say but can’t speak, right? Why not try drawing it out?"
This time, the maid reacted. After glancing at Carlotta, she lifted her finger and started drawing on the soft ground.
Carlotta watched with interest but soon found it too abstract to understand.
The drawings were more chaotic than stick figures, completely incomprehensible.
Clearly, the maid had issues with expression. Even a child trying to convey a message through drawing wouldn’t produce such a mess.
After watching the abstract drawings for a while, Carlotta couldn’t stand any longer and left.